It’s Time For A BioBlitz!
Help experts survey the wildlife that enjoy our Fenlands
What is a BioBlitz?
A BioBlitz is an event where people work together to find and identify as many species as possible, in a specific area and over a short period of time. It can be carried out anywhere there is wildlife.
This focussed approach to surveying wildlife is designed to be a fun and informal way for young people and other members of the public to learn alongside experts, and share and develop their enthusiasm for nature.
Everything found during a BioBlitz is documented and added to national databases that monitor wildlife. These key contributions help experts to understand which species are thriving and which need some help.
NLOW BioBlitz in Summary
What: Survey wildlife and record your observations
When: 14th & 15th May
Where: Join us at various locations or survey your garden or local park
Who: Everyone is welcome!
How long: Join in for as long as you would like!
Read more here: BioBlitz Information
What will happen at the NLOW BioBlitz?
On the 14th and 15th May, participants can be part of a number of events specifically tailored by our project team. The series includes:
- surveys with wildlife experts in various locations within the NLOW project area
- advice on how to survey from home or the local park
- participating in an expert-led session.
Interested contributors can just turn up at many of our surveying sessions, however, the walks are operating with limited spaces and will need booking in advance. Please visit our dedicated BioBlitz webpage for more details.
Can I hold my own BioBlitz at home or in my local park?
Yes! We want as many people to get involved as possible and if you can’t make it to one of our venues, we would love you to record the nature that you see at home or local park.
We have some useful HAVE A GO guides on our BioBlitz webpage and there are lots of useful resources online to help you identify wildlife. A few are listed below.
Don’t forget to record all of your findings, including the 4Ws (What, Where, When, Who spotted it), and share them with us via info@newlifeoldwest.org.uk. Our useful video will give you more information about how to record what you see.
Is this part of the BioBlitz at National Trust Wicken Fen?
Yes. We are working in partnership with the National Trust and are holding our BioBlitz on the same weekend as the Wicken Fen event. The New Life on the Old West project works within communities that are adjacent to the Wicken Fen Vision area – Haddenham, Rampton, Cam Wash, and Cottenham. We’ll be running events across these specific areas, as well as encouraging wider support from people at home.
Like the Wicken Fen event, our events have been made possible thanks to the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
What help and advice is there available for running my own surveying?
You don’t need to be a wildlife expert to take part and make a difference. There are a number of apps and resources that can help you identify what you find – including:
- Seek app – point the camera at living things and the app uses image recognition technology to identify them.
- Picture This app – similar to the Seek app but just for plants.
- Spotter Sheets
- How to Guides
Ready to BioBlitz?!
Download all the resources you need from our website, decide where to go, and head out to see what you spot! Don’t forget to record all of your findings, including the 4Ws, and share them with us via info@newlifeoldwest.org.uk
If you’d like to learn more about NLOW, become a volunteer, join a training session or help improve local habitat by working with wildlife experts, please get in touch via info@newlifeoldwest.org.uk